Electric-bx internal connector



Aug. 18,1942.v w. s. EAIVRII-IART 2,293,122

ELECTRIC BX INTERNAL CONNECTOR Filed Au 29, 1940 Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES PfiaTENT OFFICE ELECTRIC-BX INTERNAL CUNNECTOR William Shanklin Earhart, Denver, 0010.

Application August 29, 1940, Serial No. 354,638

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a cable connector and it is a particular object of the invention to pro vide a connector of this kind for use in connection with the standard type of boxes now in use having round knock-out openings and wherein the structure of the connector is such as to perlmit the same to be applied into working position from within the box, thus making it possible to connect the cable to a box which may be in an out-of-the-way location.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a connector of this kind which can be effective- 1y applied into working position after the cable has been fished into an outlet box.

The invention also has for an object to provide a, clamp of this kind which is normally of a size to receive an end portion of a BX cable after the same has been fished into a box together with means for expanding the connector to effectively lock the same to the box.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed-to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in perspective illustrating a conventional connector box and.- two connectors constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, one of the connectors being in locking engagement with the box and the other connector being secured to a BX cable but free of connection with the box.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in rear elevation of the connector unapplied.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of the connector as herein embodied.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 2.

In the accompanying drawing, B denotes a standard outlet box having the usual knock-out openings I, through each of which is adapted to be selectively fished a BX cable C. My improved connector A is applied to a portion of a cable C within the box B after the cable C has been threaded through a knock-out opening I and after which the connector is securely anchored to the box B.

My improved connector A as herein disclosed comprises a tubular sleeve 2 preferably of metal and which has its forward end portion defined by an outstanding bead or lip 3. The central portion of the wall of the sleeve 2 is of increased thickness providing an integral surrounding band 45. The wall of the sleeve 2 at one side of and immediately adjacent to this band 4 is provided with a circumferentially disposed slit 5 which extends not less than one-half the way around the sleeve. The band 4 at one end portion of the slit 5 is provided with a pair of outstanding ears 6. These ears 6 are closely adjacent to each other as particularly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 and the opposed faces thereof are angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 2. the bead or lip 3 has a slit I open at the end of the sleeve having the bead or lip 3. This slit 1 is disposed on an angle similar to the angle of the opposed faces of the ears or lugs 6 and extend between said ears or lugs to a, point closely adjacent an end of the slit 5.

Threaded through one of the ears or lugs 6 for contact with the second of said lugs or ears 6 is a threaded shank 8. Threading through the sleeve 2 at a point substantially at right angles to the ears or lugs 6 is a binding screw 9.- This screw is disposed on an angle in a direction axially of the sleeve 2 and toward the end thereof provided with V the bead or lip 3.

After the BX cable has been fished" into the box B through a knock-out opening I the inserted end portion of the cable C is passed through the sleeve 2 and the connector is effectively clamped to the cable C by proper adjustment of the screw 9. The angular arrangement of the screw 9 coacts with the cable C in a manner to resist pulling of the cable out of clamping engagement with the connector. Normally the forward end portion of the sleeve 2 provided with a bead or lip 3 is of a diameter to be readily inserted from within through the knock-out opening I through which the cable C has been fished. The shank 8 is then turned in a direction to effect an expansion of the sleeve 2 by contact of the shank 8 with the second car or lug 6 and which expansion will be permitted by the slits 5 and l. The forward end'of the con- I nector C will be expanded sufiiciently to assure a tight fitting of the connector within the knockout opening I and the maintenance of which mounting will be materially facilitated by the bead or lip 3 which will overlie the outerlface of the portion of the wall of the box B surrounding the knock-out opening I. i

It is to be noted that the band 4 provides a circumferentially disposed and forwardly facing The end portion of the sleeve 2 provided with shoulder [0 to prevent the sleeve 2 from passing entirely through the knock-out opening I.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a cable connector constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. Means for connecting from within an end portion of a cable inserted from the outside through a knock-out opening of an outlet box, said means comprising a sleeve to receive an end portion of the cable after being fished through the knock-out opening, means for clamping the sleeve to the cable, said sleeve being provided with a circumferentially disposed slit extending approximately one-half way around the sleeve, said sleeve having a second slit open at the end of the sleeve insertible through the knock-out opening of the outlet box and in communication with an end portion of the circumferentially disposed slit, said last named slit being disposed on an angle, outstanding lugs at opposite sides 'of the second slit and adjacent to the first slit,

the opposed faces of the lugs being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the inner portion of the second slit extending between said lugs with the opposed faces of said lugs defining the inner marginal portions of said second slit, an outstanding sur rounding band carried by the sleeve between the first slit and the end portion of the sleeve insertible through the knock-out opening, said band extending around the sleeve from one lug to the other, said band providing a forwardly facing shoulder to prevent the sleeve from passing entirely through the knockout opening, and a member threading through one of the lugs for contact with the second lug for expanding the sleeve, said member being substantially at right angles to the angular opposed faces of the lugs.

2. Means for connecting from within an end portion of a cable inserted from the outside through a knock-out opening of an outlet box, said means comprising a sleeve to receive an end portion of the cable after being fished through the knock-out opening, means for clamping the sleeve to the cable, said sleeve being provided with a circumferentially disposed slit extending approximately one-half way around the sleeve, said sleeve having a second slit open at the end of the sleeve insertible through the knock-out r opening of the outlet box and in communication with an end portion of the circumferentially disposed slit, said last named slit being disposed on an angle, outstanding lugs at opposite sides of the second slit and adjacent to the first slit, the opposed faces of the lugs being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the inner portion of the second slit extending between said lugs with the opposed faces of said lugs defining the inner marginal portions of said second slit, an outstanding surrounding band carried by thesleeve between the first slit and the end portion of the sleeve insertible through the knock-out opening, said band extending around the sleeve from one lug to the other, said band providing a forwardly facing shoulder to prevent the sleeve from passing entirely through the knock-out opening, and

a member threading through one of the lugs for contact with the second lug for expanding the sleeve, said member being substantially at right angles to the angular opposed faces of the lugs,

the end portion of the sleeve insertible through the knock-out opening being defined by an outstanding head, said bead being freely insertible through the knock-out opening before the sleeve is expanded.

WILLIAM SHANKLIN EARHART. 

